The number of students experiencing homelessness in Washington has reached its highest level ever recorded. Our latest report reveals the alarming scale and impact of this crisis. Read the Executive Summary.
More than 42,000 students were identified as experiencing homelessness in the 2022–2023 school year. That’s nearly one in every 30 students, and the vast majority are youth of color. Only 24% of unhoused students are proficient in English language arts, compared to 53% of housed students. Math proficiency is even more startling—just 15% of unhoused students meet standards, compared to 41% of housed peers. If we don’t intervene now, students experiencing homelessness may never be able to bridge the education gap.
Through this report, we aim to:
- Highlight the academic disparities and systemic inequities faced by unhoused students
- Elevate the urgent need for additional funding and policy action
- Offer data-driven, community-informed solutions rooted in equity
We believe students experiencing homelessness deserve the same opportunities as their peers. Better outcomes for these students mean stronger, more resilient communities across Washington.
Support Systems That Work
Programs like the Homeless Student Stability Program (HSSP) and the Washington Youth and Families Fund (WYFF) have demonstrated success in providing culturally relevant, community-based supports. However, the crisis is growing faster than the capacity of these programs. Increased and sustained funding is critical to expand their reach to help more unhoused students who need our support now more than ever.
As federal protections unravel, Washington must step up—not step back. Now is the time for state leaders to act boldly by fully funding HSSP and WYFF to ensure every student has a fair shot at success, no matter their housing status.
